Simulated lock game



Oct. 6, 1970 c, EGGERs I 3,532,343

SIMULATED ocx GAME Filed Jan. 3, 1969 C4275; cz6656 BY u j dx qwi. 77/. W

,4 rroe/va United States Patent 3,532,343 SIMULATED LOCK GAME Carter J. Eggers, 2848 Briarclitf, Ann Arbor, Mich. 48103 Filed Jan. 3, 1969, Ser. No. 788,880 Int. Cl. A63f 9/06 US. Cl. 273-153 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This application discloses a game, embodying elements of chance and skill. The invention resides in the combination and arrangement of the elements. The elements include an opaque box having a slot in the top, for receiving therein a playing card which is provided with a plurality of depending fingers of different lengths. The box is formed at one end with a cutout, through which is inserted a playing piece, or key, which is provided on its upper edge with a plurality of bores, in which may be receivde dowels, or pins, or different lengths. Each bore of the key is indicated by a letter of the alphabet. The key is rockable, in one direction, in a longitudinal groove formed in the bottom of the box, in which it is slidably received. The fingers of the playing card lie in a vertical plane which is closely spaced from the vertical plane, in which stand the interchangeable dowels, or pins, of the key.

The object of the game is to arrange the pins in the key so that they will clear the fingers of the playing card, whereby the key may be rocked in one direction, past the fingers of the playing card, which indicates that the device is unlocked. If any one, or more, of the pins of the key strike a finger, or fingers, of the playing card, the key can not be rotated in that direction, which indicates that the device is locked. The key is held against rotation in the opposite direction by a stop member.

The protruding upper edge of the playing card is covered by an A (in cross section) member, having positioned on each outer face a plurality of hinged flaps, each flapbeing designated by a letter of the alphabet, corresponding to the letters on the key, and under each flap is an Instruction, designating which numbered dowel, or pin, should be placed in which bore in the key.

In playing the game, the arrangement of the pins in the key is controlled by a spinning arrow, and the instructions carried under the hinged flaps of the game piece carried on top of the game card.

This invention relates to games, and has particular reference to a game in which the elements of chance and skill are combined to effect the outcome of the game.

The element of chance is introduced by the use of a spinning arrow as one of the game pieces. The element of skill is introduced by the ability of the player to interpret the instructions carried on another game piece and then arrange the pins, in proper position, on still another game piece.

The object of the game is to quickly arrange the pins on the key playing piece, so that the key may be rotated past a suspended playing card, which is formed with depending fingers of different lengths.

Another object of hte invention is to provide means for holding the playing cards out of the vision of the players as the game is played.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for slideably receiving the key game piece in a position relative to the game card.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for holding instructions for the player, to assist him in making his moves during the progress of the game.

3,532,343 Patented Oct. 6, 1970 The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds, reference being made from time to time to the accompanying drawing, forming part of the within disclosure, in which drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspecitve view of the principal game pieces set up for playing the game.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the spinning arrow and lettered card used in playing the game.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a score pad used in registering the moves made during the progress of the game.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, side elevational, view of the key game piece with all the pins in position.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view of the A shaped game piece shown in FIG. 1, with the lettered, hinged tabs down and with the move instructions shown in broken lines.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, it will be understood that in the embodiment herein disclosed, the reference character .11 indicates the box, or housing, which comprises one of the game pieces. The box 11 is preferably made of oapque plastic material, and is formed with a removable base 12 and a cover 13. The base 12 has a longitudinal groove 14 formed therein, for slideably receiving the key 15. The wall 16 (FIG. 3) of the groove 14 is higher than the other wall and serves as a stop, so that the key 15 may be rocked in the groove only in one direction. The groove 14- communicates with a cutout 17 (FIG. 1) formed in one end of the cover 13, so that the key 15 may be introduced to the interior of the box 11, as hereinafter described. The top 18 of the cover 13 has a longitudinal slot 19 formed therein, which is bordered by finish strips 20, which reinforce the slot. The slot 19 is adapted to receive the playing card 21, which extends well into the box 11. There is a different playing card for each game played.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lower edge of the playing card is cut to form a plurality of fingers 22 of diifrent lengths. Each playing card has a different arrangement of fingers in order to provide a different game for each playing card. Each playing card is provided with a pair of ears 23-24 which extend beyond the slot 19 and rest on the upper edges of the end walls of the cover 13. The ears 23-24 support the card 21 in the box. Positioned on the upper edge 25 of the card 21, is an A (in cross section) shaped member 26, which carries a plurality of hinged tabs 27 (FIGS. 1 and 7) each tab having on its outer face a letter of the alphabet. In this embodiment, the letters A to H are employed. Under each tab is a number with an arrow, pointing up or down. The purpose of the numbers and arrows will appear hereinafter.

The key 15 has a plurality of bores 28 (FIG. 6) in its upper face, which bores 28 are arranged to receive therein the removable and interchangeable pins 29. Each pin 29 is marked with one or more units or spaces. The number of the units carried by each pin is designated by its num her. The pins number from l-8 in this particular game. There is a corresponding number of fingers 22 on the playing card 21. There is a pin 29 on the key 15 for each finger on the playing card 21, and the object of the game is to arrange the pins 22 on the key 15 so that the longest pin of the key will be adjacent the shortest finger on the card 21, and the shortest pin on the key will be adjacent the longest finger on the card. The intermediate pins 29 and fingers 22 are likewise arranged (FIG. 2). When the pins 29 are all properly arranged on the key 15, for the particular playing card 21, as shown in FIG. 2, there is clearance between the pins and fingers, and the key 15 may then be rocked to the right (FIG. 3) by the hand grip 15A on the key 15. This unlocks the device to win the game. The winner of the game is the one who arranges the pins so that the key 15 may be turned, with the fewest number of tries. As shown in FIG. 3, the card 21 is offset from the pins 29 and overlaps, in part, the pins 29 so that the key 15 may not be rocked to the right until the pins are all properly placed. The stop 16 prevents the key 15 from being rocked to the left (FIG. 3).

A typical game is played as follows:

Each player is provided with a key 15, the requisite number of pins 29 to fill the bores 28 in the key 15 (as shown in FIG. 6) and a score pad 30 (FIG. The pins 29 are inserted in the key as the game progresses.

A playing card 21, having its particular arrangement of fingers 22, is then inserted in the slot 19. The A shaped (in cross section) member 26 is then positioned on the protruding end of the card 21. The player to go first may be chosen by spinning the arrow 31, mounted on the card 32, and the player who lands on the lowest letter of the alphabet goes first. The turns of the other players may likewise be determined.

The first player again spins the arrow 31, and observes the letter of the alphabet indicated by the head of the arrow. For example: If the arrow head lands on F, the player lifts the tab F on the playing piece 26. Underneath the tab F he will find the numeral 3, and an arrow pointing downwardly. This means that the position F on the key 15 is three units lower than the position G. This information (numeral 3 and downwardly directed arrow) is recorded on the score pad 30, and may be recorded on the key 15 by placing pin No. 4 in G and pin No. 1 in F; or by placing pin No. 5 in G and pin No. 2 in F; or by placing pin No. 6 in G and pin No. 3 in F; or by placing pin No. 7 in G and pin No. 4 in F; or by placing pin No. 8 in G and pin No. 5 in F.

Ordinarily when just beginning to play, it is best to record the first position on the easiest Way possible. Therefore, pin No. 4 would be placed in G.

The player again spins the arrow, and assuming that the arrow lands on B, he lifts tab B on the playing piece 26 and finds under the tab a number 4, and an arrow directed upwardly. He records this on his tally 30. This information means that the position B on the key 15 is four units higher than the position C. This position can be recorded on the key 15 by placing the pin No. 4 in B; or by placing pin No. 5 in B and pin N0. 1 in C; or by placing pin No. 6 in B and pin No. 2 in C; or by placing pin No. 7 in B and pin No. 3 in C; or pin No. 8 in B and pin No. 4 in C.

At this point, there is no evidence that either recorded position is the correct choice. The player spins again, and assuming that the arrow lands on H, he will lift tab H on the playing piece 26 and observe under the tab the numeral 5, and a downwardly directed arrow. This information is recorded on his tally 30. This information means that the position H on the key 15 is five units lower than the next position. Since there is no letter I, the next position would be A. This position can be recorded on the key 15 by placing the pin No. 5 in A; or by placing pin No. 6 in A and pin No. 1 in H; or by placing pin No. 7 in A and pin No. 2 in H; since pins 1 and 5 have already been placed in the key 15, pin No. 7 in A and pin No. 2 in H would be a logical choice. The player spins again and the arrow lands on E. He will thenlift tab E on playing piece 26, and find under it a numeral 6, with an arrow directed upwardly. This information is recorded on his tally sheet 30. This information means that position E on the key 15 must be six units higher than F.

Since F has been previously recorded on the key 15 as 1,

the pin No. 7 placed in position E on the key 15 (FIG. 2) would then correctly notate the position. The player continues to spin the arrow and record the information carried under the tabs 27, until all of the pins are positioned on the key 15. The key 15 is then inserted in the box 11, and if the pins are properly located so that they will clear the fingers of the playing card for that game, the key 15 may be rocked to the right in the groove 14 (FIG. 3). If the pins 29 are not properly located on the key 15, the fingers of the card will prevent the turning of the key. The player will then have to withdraw the key 15 from the box 11 and with the information which he has on the tally sheet, try to rearrange the pins in the key 15, so that they will properly clear the fingers of the playing card. When the key 15 can be rotated, the device would be considered unlocked. The other players follow the same routine.

The game is scored by totaling the number of unused squares on the tally sheet, and multiplying by 10. The person who scores the highest number of points wins the game.

Many variations of the game may be made by using a great variety of different playing cards and longer or shorter keys, with more or less pins.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Game apparatus comprising, an opaque box having a slot in its top wall and a cut out in an end wall, a playing card received in said slot, the lower edge of said card having a plurality of different length fingers formed thereon, a key playing piece received in said cut out, said key having bores therein in which are received a plurality of different length interchangeable pins, said pins being arranged to strike one or more of said fingers and prevent the turning of said key in one direction, when said pins are arranged in certain position on said key, and said pins being arranged to be free of said fingers and permit turning of said key in said one direction, when arranged in a predetermined position on said key.

2. The structure of claim 1, including an A shaped, in cross section, element received on the upper edge of said playing card, said element having a plurality of hinged tabs thereon on which and under which is intelligible subject matter for use in playing of the game.

3. The structure of claim 2, in which certain of said subject matter matches similar subject matter carried on said key, and on a game piece on which is mounted a pivotable arrow.

4. The structure of claim 1, in which said box is provided with a removable bottom, having a longitudinal groove therein in alignment with said cut out and arranged to slideably receive said key, said groove having means associated therewith for permitting said key to rotate in one direction but prevent rotation in the opposite direction.

5. The structure of claim 1, in which said playing card has an upper portion extending above the top of said box, the said upper portion having received thereon a game piece carrying a plurality of hinged tabs, upon which and beneath which is intelligible subject matter used in playing the game, said card having a pair of ears which overlie the end walls of said box and serve as support means for said card and said last named game piece.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

